Benjamin Pressman, PE named Senior Technical Engineer, Energy and Sustainability Services
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is pleased to announce the promotion of Benjamin Pressman, PE, to the role of Senior Technical Engineer within the Energy Services department. With 16 years of experience in mechanical and energy engineering, Ben brings a wealth of technical expertise and leadership to this position. In this role, he will be responsible for leading complex project design efforts, ensuring technical quality across deliverables, and mentoring junior staff.
BENJAMIN PRESSMAN, PE
SR. TECHNICAL ENGINEERR
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is pleased to announce the promotion of Benjamin Pressman, PE, to the role of Senior Technical Engineer within the Energy Services department. With 16 years of experience in mechanical and energy engineering, Ben brings a wealth of technical expertise and leadership to this position. In this role, he will be responsible for leading complex project design efforts, ensuring technical quality across deliverables, and mentoring junior staff.
Throughout his career, Ben has led a wide range of building energy assessments, as well as developed and managed hourly energy simulations for both schematic designs and accreditation programs such as LEED and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program’s Pay for Performance. His work has also included mechanical system design and implementation for energy-efficient renovations of commercial and municipal buildings.
Ben has a deep expertise in building modeling software, energy auditing techniques, and the development of long-term sustainability strategies. He has helped municipalities and commercial clients alike advance their renewable energy goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels through strategic mechanical system upgrades.
Ben earned both his B.S. and MSE in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and a Qualified Tune-Up Specialist in the City of Philadelphia.
About the Firm: Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc. is a family-owned regional engineering, environmental and surveying firm headquartered in Wyomissing PA with satellite offices in Lancaster, West Chester and Lehigh Valley. SSM provides services to various types of local, regional and national businesses that include commercial, industrial, manufacturing and telecommunications as well as healthcare and higher education institutions.
School District of Philadelphia receives Renew America's Schools Prize
SSM's Energy and Sustainability Services Department (Practical Energy Solutions) helped lead a second, successful application to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant Program.
SSM's Energy and Sustainability Services Department (Practical Energy Solutions) helped lead a second, successful application to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant Program.
After taking the lead role in preparing an application for the William Penn School District in 2023, which resulted in a $7.2 million grant award, SSM’s Energy Team partnered with the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Energy Authority to apply for Round 2.
DOE named 21 winners of this overwhelmingly high-demand program and selected the School District of Philadelphia to receive an unrestricted $300,000 cash prize to further its sustainability planning efforts.
Read DOE’s announcement about our partnership here.
SSM’s Energy Team prepared the basis of this application by proposing a “kick-start” project for the district’s youngest students. This would involve upgrading 20 elementary school HVAC systems with high-performance, high-efficiency heat pump systems that create a foundation for electrified, net-zero schools and enable hands-on, clean energy, STEM-based learning.
This project proposes to add high-performance cooling and high-efficiency heating along with significant energy and greenhouse gas savings to some of the district’s most underserved elementary schools. It was drawn from the findings of three years of District-wide energy assessments performed by SSM’s Energy Team in its role managing the District’s compliance with the City of Philadelphia’s Building Energy Performance Program. SSM’s Energy Team has generated a database of energy systems and conditions across nearly 90 schools in the School District of Philadelphia. This database is now informing the development of cost-effective, low-carbon energy upgrade models that can be replicated District-wide while improving indoor air quality and learning conditions for students and teachers.
SSM’s Energy Team continues to serve the School District of Philadelphia in this role, as well as through grant support, strategic energy planning and hands-on energy education programs – including implementation of the Renew America’s Schools prize.
PWEA - PennTec 2023 - Cost Effective Energy Conservation for Your Plant
Explore cost-effective energy conservation opportunities common to many plants, increasing challenges of balancing water and air quality regulations with energy and climate concerns to minimize overall negative impacts, and insight from DEP on the department’s sustainability goals and plans to assist municipalities in reaching their goals.
Presented to: PWEA PennTec2023 Utility Management & Government Affairs Technical Program
Presented by: Ben Pressman, PE
Cost Effective Energy Conservation for Your Plant
Presented to: PWEA PennTec2023 Utility Management & Government Affairs Technical Program
Presented by: Ben Pressman, PE
Explore cost-effective energy conservation opportunities common to many plants, increasing challenges of balancing water and air quality regulations with energy and climate concerns to minimize overall negative impacts, and insight from DEP on the department’s sustainability goals and plans to assist municipalities in reaching their goals.
PWEA - PennTec 2023 - Reed Bed Remediation Utilizing Recycled Glass
Explore cost-effective energy conservation opportunities common to many plants, increasing challenges of balancing water and air quality regulations with energy and climate concerns to minimize overall negative impacts, and insight from DEP on the department’s sustainability goals and plans to assist municipalities in reaching their goals.
Presented to: PWEA PennTec 2023 Biosolids Technical Program
Presented by: Jason Coyle, Lo
Reed Bed Remediation Utilizing Recycled Glass
Presented to: PWEA PennTec 2023 Biosolids Technical Program
Presented by: Jason Coyle, Lo
Explore cost-effective energy conservation opportunities common to many plants, increasing challenges of balancing water and air quality regulations with energy and climate concerns to minimize overall negative impacts, and insight from DEP on the department’s sustainability goals and plans to assist municipalities in reaching their goals.
Spottlight on Engineering for Buildings
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations.
Marika Selzler, named Tune-Up Specialist for City of Philadelphia
Marika Selzler, EIT, ENV SP, CEM has been approved as a Tune-Up Specialist by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability.
Marika Selzler, EIT, ENV SP, CEM has been approved as a Tune-Up Specialist by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability.
The City of Philadelphia’s newly implemented Building Energy Performance Policy (BEEP) requires a “tune-up specialist” lead all tune-up assessments and sign-off on all tune-up reports submitted to the City’s Office of Sustainability (OOS). Individuals must be a Professional Engineer (PE) license or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification and have at least 7 years of combined educational and professional experience with commercial building operations and/or building energy management.
Marika is a member of the Energy and Sustainability Services Team. With a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, she brings a broad range of experience to the team including energy benchmarking, load profiling, and long-term trend analysis of commercial facilities, industrial plants, and vehicle fleets; BAS-based continuous commissioning and Analytics-as-a-Service of commercial buildings; calculating and evaluating emissions of existing systems, buildings, campuses, and fleets, and improvements from conservation, efficiency, and fuel-switching projects; supervising preparation of energy audits and reports.
TUNE-UP SPECIALISTS:
Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP Director, Energy and Sustainability Services
Benjamin Pressman, PE BESM Project Mechanical Engineer
Marika Selzler, EIT, ENV AP, CEM Energy Analyst
Spottlight on Mobile GIS Applications
SSM provides professional GIS services to municipalities; from mapping support for infrastructure projects, to focused GIS and data capture projects. SSM’s GIS Asset Management approach helps municipalities to transform sewer infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system capturing vital infrastructure data points with survey-grade accuracy. The data is verified and compiled into a geo-spatial database.
SSM provides professional GIS services to municipalities; from mapping support for infrastructure projects, to focused GIS and data capture projects. SSM’s GIS Asset Management approach helps municipalities to transform sewer infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system capturing vital infrastructure data points with survey-grade accuracy. The data is verified and compiled into a geo-spatial database.
GIS Database Development
GIS Training
ArcGIS Online Implementation
Mobile Application Design
Field Data Collection
Survey Grade GPS Collection
Customizable Inspection Forms
Field Inspection Reports
Document Management
IN THIS ISSUE
Paul Spiegel, PE LEED AP O+M Recognized with Green Building United's 2021 Groundbreaker Award
Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP O+M, Director of Energy and Sustainability Services was one of five projects and community leaders awarded a 2021 Groundbreaker Award from Green Building United, the region’s leading organization on green building advocacy and education.
Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP O+M, Director of Energy and Sustainability Services was one of five projects and community leaders awarded a 2021 Groundbreaker Award from Green Building United, the region’s leading organization on green building advocacy and education. The annual Groundbreaker Awards celebrates green building leadership, innovation, and impact in greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, and Delaware.
Spiegel was honored to receive recognition for his Community Leadership. Paul is committed to the idea that people and organizations can be motivated to action when they are well educated in and guided through the process, and understand the cost effective benefits of clean and renewable energy.
He commented, “I believe that motivation for change – and ultimately action toward energy efficiency - comes from education and understanding of the cost effective benefits of clean and renewable energy.”
Working with building owners and managers throughout the region, community leaders in over 100 local municipalities and over 75 local schools, he has advanced the adoption of energy related strategies, including energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. In addition to his training programs, webinars, and in-person speaking engagements that have reached thousands of people in the Philadelphia region, Paul is an active member in various community groups and professional societies as a passionate advocate for energy and environmental policies that will move our region toward a clean energy economy. Mr. Spiegel has more than 35 years of experience in building design, construction, and evaluation in the Philadelphia metropolitan region. He co-founded Practical Energy Solutions (PES) in 2006, when he saw opportunities to provide practical guidance to building owners to improve their energy performance. He has developed and supervised energy strategic master plans and comprehensive energy assessments for more than 250 educational, municipal and commercial facilities. He served as an adjunct professor of Engineering at Temple University from 2004 until 2019, and is a very active member in various community groups and professional societies. Mr. Spiegel’s passion for moving our region toward a clean energy economy comes from his strong belief in contributing to improved living conditions in our local communities in a cost effective and sustainable manner, and his commitment to sound environmental practice.
“We’re continually impressed by the Groundbreaker Award project submissions and seeing how they are pushing the industry forward. This year's awardees include a collaborative large-scale solar project, an innovative school building renovation, and leaders who have had measurable impact on their teams, industries, and the region,” said LeAnne Harvey, Policy and Program Director of Green Building United. “As businesses, cities, and countries work to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment, recognizing projects and leaders is a vital way to uphold best practices toward a carbon neutral world.”
Green Building United, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to promoting sustainable building in Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and Delaware. Through education and advocacy, Green Building United aims to create a sustainable, healthy, and resilient built environment for all. Green Building United offers its members and partners a wide variety of resources, tools, and events to help them stay informed of the latest green building news and trends. For more information, visit www.greenbuildingunited.org and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About the Firm
Since the founding of Practical Energy Solutions in 2006, the team has had a singular focus: reducing energy consumption in buildings, institutions, and commercial facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Now a division of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM), our primary services focus on identifying and implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures. This includes energy assessments of existing and new buildings, ROI and feasibility studies, renewable and alternative energy services, project funding support, energy-efficient engineering design, energy consulting, public education, and strategic energy planning. The synergy of the Practical Energy Solutions team alongside the rest of the Spotts, Stevens and McCoy firm is a feat unmatched by most other firms in our region. Our team works both with and alongside SSM’s additional divisions: Facilities Engineering, Civil and Municipal Engineering, Water and Wastewater Engineering, and Survey and Data Capture. The culmination of all of these areas of expertise makes SSM the best single-source solution for any engineering challenge, no matter how many facets. With company-wide commitments to integrity, cutting-edge technology, environmental responsibility, and client relationships – SSM is proud to say we engineer solutions for a better world. SSM is headquartered in Reading with satellite locations in Lehigh Valley, Lancaster, and West Chester.
Spottlight on Energy Awareness
Municipal governments as well as industries and corporations engage every year in strategic planning and writing budgets. Our recommendation is to make sure energy efficiency is a top priority on your budget for the next year.
Wondering how to impact the bottom line while also engaging your community and stakeholders in making the world a better place? The answer: start including energy efficiency in your budget. The best time to start? Now.
Municipal governments as well as industries and corporations engage every year in strategic planning and writing budgets. Our recommendation is to make sure energy efficiency is a top priority on your budget for the next year.
IN THIS ISSUE
Spottlight on a Great Place to Work
We are more than a typical engineering firm. If we were just an engineering firm, we’d assess, we’d solve, and then we’d cross it off of our list. But we’re not just an engineering firm; we’re so much more. We’re a firm that believes our people are your people. We’re a firm that believes in innovation; built on a solid foundation. We’re an engineering firm that believes in improving the quality of life for clients, employees, and all of the people touched by the work we do.
Turning the Spottlight on SSM
We are more than a typical engineering firm. If we were just an engineering firm, we’d assess, we’d solve, and then we’d cross it off of our list. But we’re not just an engineering firm; we’re so much more. We’re a firm that believes our people are your people. We’re a firm that believes in innovation; built on a solid foundation. We’re an engineering firm that believes in improving the quality of life for clients, employees, and all of the people touched by the work we do.
Spottlight on the Sun
We’re all about making the world a better place. The summer sun reminds us to enjoy the remarkable nature of the sun outside.
A Sunny State of Mind
There’s plenty to marvel about when it comes to the sun from its enormous size, able to hold 1 million Earths to its near perfect sphere that continues to be a science spectacle. Did you know that the sun rotates on its axis about once every 26 days? It is 93 million miles away from the Earth; but it only takes eight minutes for its light to reach us.
Perhaps one of our favorite extraordinary facts about the sun is its generous offering of energy. The amount of sunlight that strikes the Earth’s surface in just an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. As June comes to an end and we’re all enjoying long sunny days we explore the power and strength of the sun.
IN THIS ISSUE
SSM is working with South Heidelberg Township on the development and deployment of field inspection applications using mobile Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.